COYOTE Calendar: July 16-July 21

Welcome to the COYOTE Calendar. Here are this week's hand picked events, just for you.

This weekend is the legendary Mosswood Meltdown which is always a good time. You can also go see Alice in Wonderland for free in the park, go enjoy a night market in Santa Clara, celebrate water lanterns and shop for oddities in San Jose, and learn to make an onggi in Oakland.

Also, today there are two rallies in the Bay Area you can join to speak up about injustice: come together with Oakland community members and raise your voice against ICE violence (5:30pm, 14th Street & Broadway) or head to 630 Sansome St in San Francisco this morning and show your support for Enil, advocate for immigrants’ rights who is facing threats by ICE.

This week we've also got bikes of many varieties, puppet creatures, neon signs, pyrography, accordions and more. We'll post new events each Wednesday. Go forth and enjoy!

• Legacy in Lights 〰️ There's something special about neon lights, and now you can learn about how neon has shaped the visual landscape of San Francisco, how those signs have evolved over time, and how people are trying to preserve them. 〰️ 6-7:30pm 〰️ SFPL Main Library 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• mak-'amham/Cafe Ohlone 〰️ Perhaps you've heard mention of the Ohlone people during a land acknowledgement before another event. But if you want to get to know the living Ohlone people, this is a great place to start. Join Cafe Ohlone founders Vincent Medina and Louis Trevino as they share aspects and elements of East Bay Ohlone culture. This event happens monthly so if you miss this one, you can check it out again in the future. 〰️ 3:30-4:30pm 〰️ Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley 〰️ FREE (but please RSVP) 〰️ more info
• A Talk with Just Action author Leah Rothstein 〰️ Listen, we all know that shit is bad. But what can you actually do about it? There are lots of answers to that question, and when it comes to housing segregation the book Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law. offers a series of clear steps for community leaders that can actually help make change. Come hear author Leah Rothstein talk about the book, and maybe meet up with fellow attendees to talk about how you're going to get involved. 〰️ 3-4:30pm 〰️ UC Berkeley 〰️ Berkeley 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Wood burning art demonstration by Smruti Kurse 〰️ Here's a fun new word for us all to learn together: pyrography. Indulge your fire-loving self with this demonstration of Smruti Kruse's methods of working with heat and wood, and how she uses flame to "capture the tension and lingering resonance in these non-narrative spaces, striving to convey the authentic beauty of daily life." Someone please give me a cookie for not making an "it's lit" joke here. 〰️ 6:30pm 〰️ East Valley Artists, San Jose 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Yagódy 〰️ I maintain a little playlist of songs and bands I find and really love while researching the Calendar, and Yagódy went on it so fast. Their songs are pulsing, many layered experiences that rise and fall in really cool, theatrical ways. 〰️ 8pm 〰️ Arcata Playhouse 〰️ $25 〰️ more info

• Bike to the Future 〰️ Bring your bike and a friend and join this alleycat race for a good cause (the winner's pot goes to charity). If you're not the racing type, you can pretend you're an extra in The Fast and the Futurious and cheer them on, followed by an afterparty with food and drinks. 〰️ 12pm 〰️ Snow Park, Oakland 〰️ $15/rider donation, NOTAFLOF* 〰️ more info
• East Bay Coyotes Ride 〰️ Roll with the East Bay Coyotes (whom Nuala recently profiled here) and see what it's like to ride with a “leftist political riding club and organization for the marginalized and community-driven.” Awooooo baby! Motorcycles and scooters 109cc and up are welcome. 〰️ 4:30pm 〰️ Meetup at the 76 Gas Station, Castro Valley 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Deaf Stars Shine Opening Reception 〰️ Every show Creative Growth puts on is amazing, and I'm really excited for this one, featuring art from the studio's Deaf and hard-of-hearing artists. Along with a preview of the show, there will also be music, button-making, and more. 〰️ 5-8pm 〰️ Creative Growth Art Center, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Pasta at the Parkway 〰️ "Shrek is love. Shrek is life. And it’s even better with a bowl of pasta. Join us for (unlimited) Pasta at the Parkway, dinner and a classic, all in one night." Can't argue with that. 〰️ 6pm 〰️ The New Parkway, Oakland 〰️ $30 〰️ more info
• Soccer vs The State 〰️ Pregame the World Cup final with some radical organizing. Rather than ceding soccer to the wealthy elite who have captured it like the supervillains they are, it's time to talk about how to take sport back. Join Gabriel Kuhn, author of Soccer vs. the State: Tackling Football and Radical Politics and local organizers involved in community soccer about how to steal the ball back. 〰️ 8-10pm (Kuhn will be joining virtually from Sweden, which is why this is so late. Time zones!) 〰️ Tamarack, Oakland 〰️ more info

• Temescal Alley Book Festival 〰️ All our favorite book people are going to be at this one, so please go say hi (and hit the Oakland Review of Books table with any calendar complaints you might have.) Buy a book, chat with readers, and then hit up the afterparty at Womb House Books. 〰️ 12pm-6pm 〰️ 49th St. Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Trans Warriors Workshop in Nature 〰️ Sometimes you just need to punch something! And, in fact, studies show that embodied movement like boxing can actually help heal old wounds and traumas. If you're a trans and/or gender expansive person curious about how to throw a punch without breaking your fist, or just want to get some movement going, check out this class set in a beautiful park. 〰️ 1-2:30pm 〰️ Oakland 〰️ sliding scale $33-66 〰️ more info
• Foley for Animation with Skywalker Sound's Shelley Roden 〰️ How do they make punches sound punchy? Car crashes sound crashy? Footsteps sound creepy or soft? The art of sound for films is called "foley" and it often involves some wild techniques. (Check out this video for a taste.) Now you can hear award-winning Skywalker Sound foley artist Shelley Roden talk about her experience working on animated films making all kinds of sounds. 〰️ 1pm 〰️ The Walt Disney Family Museum, SF 〰️ $30 〰️ more info
• Creatures Parade 〰️ This is the event on this week's calendar that I'm most excited about and I'm gutted that I can't make it. Please, please go and take pictures and email them to me! Join a menagerie of puppeteers and their creatures at this amazing gathering and parade. 〰️ 4pm 〰️ Snow Park, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Jollof Festival 〰️ I know enough not to get directly involved in something called "The Jollof Wars" because I value my life and I know my place. Last year Senegal won, but Nigeria is looking for a triple crown this year, and whoever takes the crown I will happily taste my way through the battle at this celebration of one of the world's greatest dishes. 〰️ 4-9pm 〰️ 811 Washington Street, Oakland 〰️ $29-$81 〰️ more info
• Mixed Doubles Reception 〰️ This show has a fun premise: each piece has been made by two artists working in tandem. Come see images made by likely and unlikely pairings, with mixed media, mixed ideas, and mixed energies. 〰️ 4-6pm 〰️ ACCI Gallery, Berkeley 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Clayroom West Oakland Grand Opening Party 〰️ Get your hands dirty (or just watch other people do that) at this celebration of the latest Clay Room location. There will be wheel Olympics, prizes, demos, hands on activities, music, food and more. Plus, you'll get a chance to help name the gas kiln, which is a very important task. 〰️ 5-8pm 〰️ Clayroom West Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Clothing Swap 〰️ Forget fast fashion, drop that Shein, and stop scrolling Depop. Bring your well loved threads (up to 15 pieces) to this clothing swap and leave with new goodies. There will also be drinks, tasty snacks, and a welcoming atmosphere. All styles are welcome! 〰️ 5-8pm 〰️ Discover Community Cafe, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Clown & Drag Picnic at the Lake 〰️ Team COYOTE is split on clowns (some love them, some fear them, some don't want to be asked about clowns ever again) but there's no denying that they have an impact. And if you're down to clown come through and hang out with the silly billies by the lake. "Bring a friend, a lover, some picnic blankets, snackies, bevvies, your juggling balls, and whatever else you would like!" 〰️ 6pm 〰️ Lake Merritt, Oakland 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Sapphic Coin-op Night 〰️ One thing I've noticed writing the calendar is that the term "sapphic" is really having a moment. I'd read an article about that! What's the deal? Anyway, bring some coins and have a blast playing classic arcade games with some baddies. 〰️ 6pm 〰️ Joey The Cat, SF 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Sun, Fun, & Buns! An Aerial Variety Show 〰️ You know the phrase "suns out buns out?" Well the sun is out, and so the buns simply must be freed! And now you can be the beneficiary of such freedom, and watch a whole variety show full of stunts, laughs, athleticism and, yes, buns. Bring a chair and your own beverages. 〰️ 7-9:30pm 〰️ Funkmode Hip Hop Dance Studio, Concord 〰️ $29 〰️ more info
• Origins of Vogue Ball 〰️ The folks at Oakland to All are working hard to keep the Bay Area vogue and ballroom scene alive, and this is their latest event showcasing this incredible art form. Categories for this one are listed on the flyer. 〰️ 😷 COVID SAFE: masks required and provided 〰️ 8pm 〰️ Fluid510, Oakland 〰️ $10-25 〰️ more info
• Water, Steel, Concrete, and Glass: The Elements That Shaped Jingletown 〰️ Some of the most interesting art in Oakland comes out of the Jingletown neighborhood. Now you can come take a 1.7 mile flat walk around a section of the area with an expert from the Oakland Heritage Alliance to learn more about the forces that shaped this unique neighborhood. 〰️ 10am-12:30pm 〰️ Jingletown, Oakland 〰️ $20 〰️ more info
• International Chess Day Tournament 〰️ Chess sickos, this is your day. Come show your prowess on the board at this tournament and win yourself a trophy that you can show off to all your friends. This one has three categories: Youth, Young Teen, and Adults. 〰️ 11am-5:30 pm 〰️ Berkeley Public Library, Claremont Branch 〰️ FREE, but please register 〰️ more info
• Intro to Ecology & Biodiversity of Urban Oakland 〰️ The Bay Area is full of an incredible variety of ecosystems and microregional conditions. Join Black Girl Environmentalist for this walk that will share the ecological history of Oakland and how you can learn to read the landscape and connect with the environment around you. 〰️ 11am-1pm 〰️ Leona Canyon Trail Head, Oakland 〰️ FREE for BIPOC, sliding scale for others 〰️ more info
• The Tech Topple: The Largest Live Domino Build in California at The Tech Interactive 〰️ There is little more satisfying and mesmerizing than a good domino stack, ripping along with destructive precision. If you don't believe me, please enjoy this TikTok rabbit hole. And if you want to see the bricks fall in real life, check out this massive, 40,000-domino delight. 〰️ 12:15-1pm 〰️ The Tech Interactive, San Jose 〰️ $38 〰️ more info
• Andre Thierry Accordion Soul Music at Franklin Park 〰️ At COYOTE we believe that accordions are delightful and under-appreciated instruments. And if all you can picture is Weird Al, then it's time to expand your accordion horizons, and this is the perfect place to do so. Theirry is dedicated to “breaking accordion stereotypes” and merges traditional Créole and Zydeco music with more contemporary Blues, Funk, R&B, Jazz, and Rock. 〰️ 12-2pm 〰️ Franklin Park, Alameda 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info

• Radio Day By the Bay 〰️ There's no nerd like a radio nerd, and now you can come meet a whole gaggle of them in one place at this festival featuring live music, a radio play, demos, a tour of the museum, vintage radios, ham radio lessons, stuff for sale, and more. Video did not kill the radio star, they're all right here (sorry). 〰️ 8am-4pm 〰️ Central Ave, Alameda 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Ride for Palestine 〰️ Join this annual ride to raise money for Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) as they continue to provide resources and fight for the people of Palestine. It's a little late to hop on the core ride (each rider is asked to fundraise $500) but I believe in you. You can also participate in your own ride in solidarity, or just come and cheer them on! 〰️ 8am 〰️ 8th Street, Berkeley 〰️ $50 〰️ more info
• Singles Dog Hike 〰️ Are you single? Is your dog single? Good news, you can now both find love in a two-for-one hike! Go for a walk around Tilden with other dog lovers who could become your lover. Bring water for you and your pooch. 〰️ 9am-1pm 〰️ Meet up at the Lake Anza Parking Lot, Berkeley 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• A Supreme New Era: Deadlift & Pull Day 〰️ This one is for the ladies who are trying to build a bootie — come learn how to train that posterior chain with two expert coaches who will cover deadlift setup, pulling strength, accessory work, and how to confidently take what you've learned with you to the gym. 〰️ 10am 〰️ Polo's Gym, Oakland 〰️ $34 〰️ more info
• Pamana Plantas Five Year Anniversary Celebration 〰️ In this economy, every time a business survives more than a few years there should be a party. Come join the plant baddies behind Pamana Plantas and congratulate them on five years of workshops, tea parties, and gatherings. There will be local vendors and additional surprises on hand as well. 〰️ 11am-3pm 〰️ Pamana Plantas, Berkeley 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• East Bay Sketchers in Alameda at Victorian House 〰️ Alameda is full of Victorian houses, but one house has fought each of the others in combat for the title of "most photographed" and it's this one. Now, you can sketch your own portrait of the lovely lady with a group of fellow artists — there's no bad view of this one. Be cool to the people who live there though, and try not to anger the ghosts that also definitely live there. 〰️ 11am 〰️ The Brehaut House, Alameda 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Studio Ghibli Afternoon Tea in Sunset District 〰️ No animator loves food the way Hayao Miyazaki loves food. And now you can enjoy an afternoon tea in which you can snack on Calcifer's bacon and egg breakfast bun, Zeniba's tea time cookie, The Wind Rises Siberia sponge cake with red bean paste filling, and more. Sadly, there will be no coelacanth stomach. But you will get a Ghibli keychain charm! 〰️ 11am or 1:30pm 〰️ Sunset Commons, SF 〰️ $76 〰️ more info
• Disability Pride Festival 〰️ Celebrate two years of the San Francisco Disability Cultural Center with this amazing festival featuring live music, vendors, cake, quilting, raffles, resources, and a mobility device repair station. 〰️ 😷 COVID SAFE: masks required 〰️ 1-5pm 〰️ Disability Cultural Center, SF 〰️ FREE (but tickets are encouraged) 〰️ more info
• World Cup Final 〰️ FIFA is corrupt as hell and the U.S. should never have been allowed to host this event. There is a lot of joy in the community elements of the World Cup. If you're looking for a place to watch with fellow sickos, here are our recommendations. (You can also find a map of official SF watch parties here, or, check out Oaklandside's full list.) Kickoff is at noon.
  • Alameda - Alameda Brewing
  • Albany/Berkeley - Best Friends (bring your dog)
  • SF - Pride House Big Gay Watch Party
  • Oakland - Oakland Liberation Center or Neighborhood Sports Club
  • San Jose - St. Stephen's Green
  • Santa Rosa - Goose and Fern
• ICE OUT THE BAY 〰️ ICE just murdered two more people in the last week. Already, at least 51 immigrants have died in ICE detention. This is morally untenable and we all have a duty to stand up and do something to protest and reject this awful violence, and here's one way to do that: Join community members in protesting the construction of an ICE facility in Gilroy. 〰️ 3pm 〰️ San Ysidro Park, Gilroy 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Bancroft Garden Feast 〰️ Summer is the time of harvesting, feasting, and lounging late into the night with the homies. Come experience fire-cooked foods, natural wines, and a dinner made of locally harvested ingredients. "Think wild plums, seaweed, three-cornered leek, whatever else is looking beautiful right now." I'm calling it Bacchusmaxxing. 〰️ 5-9pm 〰️ Bancroft Community Garden, Berkeley 〰️ $120 without wine pairing, $145 with 〰️ more info
• El Patio Dayclub: World Cup Finale @ Fuze Downtown San Jose 〰️ No matter who wins the cup, there will be some reason to party — to celebrate, to forget, or just because. Hit this afterparty in your jersey (if you don't have one, might I suggest this Cabo Verde warmup kit?) and dance the night away in honor of the beautiful game. 〰️ 5-10pm 〰️ Fuze Nightclub, San Jose 〰️ $23 〰️ more info
• Dorothy Lazard, Behind the Desk at the Main 〰️ Public libraries are a crucial place for learning, connection, safety, joy, exploration and more. For 20 years, Dorothy Lazard worked at the Oakland Public library, and she's compiled her memories, thoughts and insider information about this crucial institution. Hear Lazard speak about the book with Alexis Madrigal about the role of libraries, and the threats they face right now. 〰️ 6-7:30pm 〰️ Oakland Main Library 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Thirst Draft 〰️ Sometimes you simply can't stare at your blank page at home anymore! Join fellow writers at this event to get the juices flowing. When you arrive, you'll be given a prompt to create from — poetry, songs, short stories, jokes, or whatever else you come up with. The bravest souls will have the opportunity to read their work on stage. 〰️ 6-9pm 〰️ Madrone Art Bar, SF 〰️ FREE 〰️ more info
• Safarii Camp Bay Bazaar 〰️ Get your favorite person a cool little thing at this market that always has the best goodies. Leather, prints, records, plants, skincare, vintage stuff, all the cool kids are always at this one. 〰️ 4-8pm 〰️ Safarii Camp, Oakland 〰️ $5 〰️ more info

• Intro to Bikepacking/Bike Touring 〰️ If you've ever been tempted by the idea of bikepacking but don't know where to start, this is for you! Bring your thoughts, plans, gear, bike, and questions and get all the details on how to plan a big bike trip. No experience necessary. 〰️ 6-7:30pm 〰️ The Bike Church, Santa Cruz 〰️ 〰️ more info
• Lavender Labyrinth Sound Bath Experience 〰️ Upgrade your sound bath experience by heading to the center of a lavender labyrinth (literally, a labyrinth made of lavender) at sunset. Even if you don't believe in the healing power of crystal bowls, it should be a nice relaxing place to vibe and feel the wiggles in the air. 〰️ 7pm 〰️ Bees N Blooms, Santa Rosa 〰️ $42 〰️ more info

• Somehow I have nothing for this day? What's happening on Tuesday y'all? Hit me up, it hurts me to leave days blank.

• Our Knives Will Save Us 〰️ Writer, activist, and chef Nephi Craig leads a conversation about his debut memoir, described as "a cultural and personal reckoning that celebrates Native American cuisine." The book tackles topics of Indigenous foodways, food sovereignty, the lifesaving power of kitchens, and what the future could look like if we decolonized our cooking. 〰️ 7pm 〰️ Clio's, Oakland 〰️ $10-36 sliding scale 〰️ more info

You can see all of COYOTE's past calendar picks here. If you have an event you'd like to see on a future COYOTE Calendar, email us at calendar@coyotemedia.org. If you attended and enjoyed any of these events, we'd love to hear about it in the comments!

*NOTAFLOF = No One Turned Away For Lack Of Funds